“Yes, Miss Denning I am aware of that, but this isn't just about you. Jonah will want to be near you, and I am not going to place him in danger because of your vanity!”
“Oh, rubbish, you know I wouldn’t put him in danger!” She snaps at him stepping closer, so Jonah doesn't hear. Her cheeks are flushed with indignation.
“Excellent, then we should start a fire. Help Jonah collect sticks and twigs for kindling.” She stares in astonishment as he stomps off and realizes she just lost. Her soft laughter floats to him and he grins.
Victor soon has a large fire going, and Summer grabs the basket of food Mrs. Evert provided for the first night. They camp by the side of the lake and as the sun sets the only sounds heard are the songs of the crickets, and occasionally splash of a fish as it jumps out of the water. In the distance, a coyote calls and Summer and Jonah stare at each other with huge eyes. “That is just a coyote. They should stay away from the fire, but we have to be careful with our food and supplies.” He ties the food up in a tree with a rope he brought, and all the trash or leftover food is burned.
Jonah yawns and Summer offers to tuck him in. He watches and listens with a smile as the two of them laugh and play. “Will you tell me a story, Summer?”
She smiles at his beautiful face and covers him with a blanket. “Alright, but just the one.” She turns the lantern down inside the tent and begins.
“Once upon a time, there was a beautiful pirate.”
“Pirates can’t be beautiful,” Jonah snorts.
“Oh, I see your point,” Summer continues.
“There was a dashing pirate with black hair and green eyes. He was bored. You see he had sailed the seven seas, looted, raided and bested sea demons, he even had all the treasure a pirate could dream of. ‘What else is there?’ He wondered.
“Pirate Dane’s heart was as empty as the halls of his massive castle.”
Jonah giggles.
‘I need a new adventure,’ just then he hears a knock on his large wooden door. He grabs his cutlass, because a pirate always needs his cutlass, and throws the door open. ‘Who dares knock on Pirate Dane’s door?’ He demands.
Two knights stand with swords ready, beside a stunning princess. Long golden hair the color of a hungry flame and eyes the color of a violet. ‘I am Princess Faith, I have traveled far to meet the famed Pirate Dane.'
‘Travel no further, I am he! Come in and feast with me.’ Dane orders a feast fit for a king. Over dinner, he looks at the Princess and slams his cup down on the large wooden table.
‘Spill it, princess, why have you come?' She smiles and orders the knights to stand guard, to ensure that no one else will hear her tale.
‘A few days ago, my kingdom was attacked, and my family imprisoned. An evil wizard name Rudolpho demanded a prize from my father that he could not give him. The Sword of Legions.’
‘The Sword of Legions is a myth, woman!’ Pirate Dane roars.
‘No. It is as real as any other treasure you have claimed,’ Faith replies softly.
‘Why would a wizard think your Father had it?’ he asks.
‘Because he did. The moment we were attacked my father protected it. He used a spell and sent it far away. I was given two weeks to retrieve the sword and bring it to him, or he will destroy my family and my kingdom.'
Pirate Dane stands and begins to pace by his massive fireplace. ‘The Sword of Legions! If it is true, you must not give it to him. Tis said to hold dreadful magic, with power enough to ensnare the human mind. In the wrong hands…’ Pirate Dane voice fades.
‘I care not what he does with it, I will not let my family die! I need a guide and a ship. You are said to be the best, I need you, Dane. I will pay you whatever ransom you desire. Will you help me?'
Dane smiles, ‘A quest to save a kingdom, win the hand of a princess, and a magic sword, Aye! I will help you, but when this is done, you will be my Queen, and the sword will be mine!'
Summer says, “That’s all for tonight.” Jonah stares at her with his mouth open.
“But what happens next?”
“Tomorrow on our journey, I shall read some more to you. Tonight, you need to sleep. I expect you to teach me how to fish in the morning.”
“I’m the best fishing man,” he yawns and rolls over. His eyes are closed before she leaves the tent.
Victor is sitting, leaning back against a log, in heavy pants and a thick coat, Summer’s stomach goes fluttery. Damn, he’s handsome, she thinks. With his day old beard, tousled black hair, and long legs that just stretch on forever. Shocked at where her mind is going, she stops and stares at the lake. She has never experienced this level of attraction before. When Jung touched her, she was repulsed, and the suitors before him were never this… stimulating. Their kisses were either frantic or sloppy. His were hot and enticing.
“Tea?” He asks, holding out a cup. Summer turns with a smile.
“Yes, thank you.” Careful not to catch her skirts on fire, she sits beside him on the log and avoids looking at him. She sips on her hot tea and stares into the flames.
“So, The Sword of Legions?” He asks curiously. He had listened to her story and was just
